Hugh Grant Hasn’t Quite Figured Out How to Compliment His Co-Stars

“Yes, she’s become a monster. No, I liked her in Extreme Measures, but I really love her now. We bonded incredibly well on this film, mainly because we’re both so nervous, especially at the beginning. We were united in fear. I find her funny and eccentric. She has strange appetites. I’ve never seen anyone eat like that. You can put anything in front of her and it’s gone in four seconds. She’s half-woman, half-locust. And she’s tiny. It’s freakish.” —Hugh Grant on Sarah Jessica Parker [MTV]

“I don’t mean to America bash, but it is interesting that burlesque is an American invention. Burlesque as we know it and the great burlesque that was prevalent in America in the 30’s and 40’s in big theaters with big stars that were in the movies and on TV and wrote books. It’s shocking to imagine it is now 75 years later and people are still saying ‘I don’t get it, she’s a stripper.’ I don’t mind being called [that] because that is what I do, but I don’t understand why there is such a taboo attached to it. Basically what I do is like an actress that has nude scenes in a movie, it’s part of the role and its part of what my show is. It’s not really any different. I think it’s just too easy for people to criticize.” —Dita Von Teese on her art form [Pop Tarts/Fox]

“Can you imagine at 18, having to share a room with your mom? I mean, there’s nothing worse. I think she was remarkable to have that steely resilience to overcome that, and not become such a screw-up from all of that.” —Emily Blunt on Queen Victoria [MTV]

“I’ve just taken on the American photographers and they can get a bit disrespectful and a bit abusive. I’m a tough Australian, I’m not gonna take any crap.” —Sam Worthington issues a warning [Female First]

“I’ve often used physical pain as an actor. Before I went on as Electra, I used to do leg stretches that would make my eyes water. The point about some of these great tragic figures is that they are at a pitch where they are no longer self-aware. You have to match them in this. Physical pain can be a way of attaining a state where the brain is bypassed and the language just flows through you.” —Fiona Shaw on getting herself in the mode of characters like Richard II [Independent UK]